So, some pretty grueling times down at Dynamic duo headquarters. Train, train, train almost coming off the tracks. Man, I feel like I've been hit by a train most mornings. Then I start to feel good after about 3 espresso's, then i go do something like train hard and back to square one.
Bad news, we too are hooked on HBO's Rescue Me series. We borrowed it from the Real Robbie O, yah the guy that almost won the A crit the other night. Well when I say borrow, I mean we took it and left a note note saying we would bring it back next time we come back to bug him.
So we are into season one and this show is awesome.
Today we learned a lesson. We were running at the Cornwall Marina, doing hill repeats, and Natasha threw off her sunglasses cause they were falling off her face. After descending the hill, she realized someone had taken them. I ran after the couple, who said they were collecting empty beer bottles and they said that they did not take them. I ran back to Natasha, then we both ran after the pair, figuring that they were lying to us. This guy told me to F#4K off, then I just wouldn't take no for an answer, he pulled a beer bottle on me and told that he was crazy and he would mess me up. I wasn't really scared, as I've actually been hit with a beer bottle before and it didn't break, good thing I didn't remember when a friend of mine had one broken over his face, as I just remembered that and that was actually really bad, anyways if he was a real bad ass he would have smashed it first then threatened me with it.
So they weren't going to give them back(the sunglasses), until I said the glasses were not worth anything but they were given by someone very special who is no longer with us. That part was not really true, but I thought it was our only shot to get them back without getting a little busted up and the girl finally gave them back for fear that her boyfriend was going to loose it on me.
So the first lesson here is when I originally came up to them and asked about the glasses I should have taken off my glasses, he could lie to me, cause he could not look me in the eyes. Second lesson is don't throw your glasses on the ground. Third lesson is if you want to run fast in a cross race, just pretend like the guy in front of you stole your wife's glasses.
DSJ
Friday, August 28, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Big week
Last week was one big week of training all right. I'm not going to bore you with details, well maybe a little, but the approach to our preparation this year is markedly different from last year. Don't get me wrong, it's just training and there is no right and wrong, you can have the best program laid out, but if it's not right for you, it's not going to give you the desired goals.
When I think back to last year, I definitely know that there some things I could have been doing different. So this year the training is a lot more practical, ie riding the Cross bike. Previously we were so concerned about about power numbers and pushing those limits that we used are energy to improve the numbers. But in the end, it's not even really about numbers, or heart rates. It's about being fast and dynamic. All you have to do to win a bike race is get your tire across the line first, that's it. I know it almost sounds too simplistic, but if you just work backwards from there, a lot of things fall into place.
When I saw the program Dan had laid out for us, I was a little concerned that it didn't look hard enough for me, but after yesterday, I was in bed a 8:57 and up this morning more than 12 hours later, paining in my entire body and there is no doubt in my mind I will be better prepared than last year. I don't ever remember running out of gears on a Cross bike. What's cool is it's got lots of "hard" training, but allows me to have some fun in the middle of a workout and improve aspects of my riding that need improvement.
Last year we did allot of our technique training tiered, and for us, it just didn't cut it. Really, for us to improve the technique, we must be rested going into it, and bring at least a 7/10 intensity to the ride. That doesn't mean that we're not buggered after the ride, oh boy.
Anyways, that's our reality right now. Cross bike riding, training, some running and trying to sort out the bikes for the season. We're geeks about our preparation, people must think we look very funny chasing each other up flights of stairs, like two little squirrels. But hey as we have not been racing, we got to go out and help marshall the Camp Fortune MTB race on Wednesday and we even caught a bit of the Cornwal Tri yesterday morning during our breakfast run and who did we see but none other than the man himself, Rick Hellard...our former run/bike/swim coach. How funny is that.
So we're going back to Ottawa tomorrow as we're going to tri (get it) and keep the legs turning with an NRC crit, hopefully we can get that 8 corner course I missed out on a few weeks ago.
D
When I think back to last year, I definitely know that there some things I could have been doing different. So this year the training is a lot more practical, ie riding the Cross bike. Previously we were so concerned about about power numbers and pushing those limits that we used are energy to improve the numbers. But in the end, it's not even really about numbers, or heart rates. It's about being fast and dynamic. All you have to do to win a bike race is get your tire across the line first, that's it. I know it almost sounds too simplistic, but if you just work backwards from there, a lot of things fall into place.
When I saw the program Dan had laid out for us, I was a little concerned that it didn't look hard enough for me, but after yesterday, I was in bed a 8:57 and up this morning more than 12 hours later, paining in my entire body and there is no doubt in my mind I will be better prepared than last year. I don't ever remember running out of gears on a Cross bike. What's cool is it's got lots of "hard" training, but allows me to have some fun in the middle of a workout and improve aspects of my riding that need improvement.
Last year we did allot of our technique training tiered, and for us, it just didn't cut it. Really, for us to improve the technique, we must be rested going into it, and bring at least a 7/10 intensity to the ride. That doesn't mean that we're not buggered after the ride, oh boy.
Anyways, that's our reality right now. Cross bike riding, training, some running and trying to sort out the bikes for the season. We're geeks about our preparation, people must think we look very funny chasing each other up flights of stairs, like two little squirrels. But hey as we have not been racing, we got to go out and help marshall the Camp Fortune MTB race on Wednesday and we even caught a bit of the Cornwal Tri yesterday morning during our breakfast run and who did we see but none other than the man himself, Rick Hellard...our former run/bike/swim coach. How funny is that.
So we're going back to Ottawa tomorrow as we're going to tri (get it) and keep the legs turning with an NRC crit, hopefully we can get that 8 corner course I missed out on a few weeks ago.
D
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Cycling Logic
So we've been up in Ottawa hanging out at my Dad's house, working a little bit, running and once Tasha meticulously places her seat a la Eddy Merckx, tape measure in hand we'll be off for a Cross ride. Funny that i can ride almost 300km in a day and think nothing of it, but then do a 30 minute jog and whoa...really feel where those muscles are attached to the ass bone.
Tuesday nights NRC training crit was pretty cool, short course, the turns come at you so fast. Tasha even covered some attacks at the start, it was awesome to see her ride like that, just like one of the guys, except sexy and does not reek of sweat. I was able to ride through some pretty severe pain as I just wanted to push through the pain and I was able to bring an intensity that I often lack during training races, but I sure found it...boy oh boy.
Anyways I picked up some Francesco's coffee from Greg at Cyclelogik...we did a medium grind of the Mexican Blend for the bodum at my dad's house. He uses Folgers so you know that I had to make him a good cup, I think he's hooked.
OK, Corss time.
D
Tuesday nights NRC training crit was pretty cool, short course, the turns come at you so fast. Tasha even covered some attacks at the start, it was awesome to see her ride like that, just like one of the guys, except sexy and does not reek of sweat. I was able to ride through some pretty severe pain as I just wanted to push through the pain and I was able to bring an intensity that I often lack during training races, but I sure found it...boy oh boy.
Anyways I picked up some Francesco's coffee from Greg at Cyclelogik...we did a medium grind of the Mexican Blend for the bodum at my dad's house. He uses Folgers so you know that I had to make him a good cup, I think he's hooked.
OK, Corss time.
D
Monday, August 10, 2009
Yikes!
Yikes, is right.
Well this week was interesting....the body always has a funny way of welcoming new activities. I usually wake up and pretty much feel like someone has pounded on my legs with some sort of meat mallet to tenderize them for human consumption. So this week was no different after a couple of runs, mixed in with a few secret training sessions.
So I'm feeling pretty awful right now and it reminded me of something....pretty much the way I was feeling in Feburary and March...sweet.
I've been trying to come to terms with my season, am I happy with the way it went? Is it over or should I just rest up and put in a few digs in September and get a few more wins checked off.
It's always hard to say, kind of but not really. If I look back at the "objectives" I set at the start of the year, I've not really achieved all of them, but slightly overachieved others.
Sure I wanted to win alot of races, but no matter how many I would have win, it would really never be enough. But as I was reading a book "The Rider", by Tim Krabbe, I read an interesting passage. He was talking about one of the great riders in Tour de France history and saying that this guy used to win races in a grand way, not a wheel sucker or an opportunist, but a great bike rider who won it his way. Funny enough this gave me a feeling of satisfaction and joy. Seriously. Cause that's the way I like to win, big time, solo hands in the air, the only one in the photo. Not to say I don't want to win a sprint from a break off the front, cause if I would have got that part of the equation right I would have pretty much won 50% percent of my races, which is an absolutely ridiculous percentage in this defeatist sport. But when I was on form from late May, winning GP Charlevoix, totally on fire through Beauce, lighting it up on Preston and breaking away at the Tour of Quebec, it was great. Not only that but I think contributing to Aaron winning Nationals as well was a highlight of the year for me as well.
So, long story, but I think it's worth while to reflect a little in order to be mentally ready for the next chunk ahead and also not go chasing things for the wrong reasons. Once I start chasing money, points, number of wins or anything empirical, it just kind of looses it's meaning a little.
I don't race my bike for that. I do this because I like pain and suffering or actually I like how good life feels when the suffering is over and life doesn't hurt anymore. Anytime I've won a race it's because I have been more prepared to accept pain and let go of fear...that's it.
Sometimes I think that's all training really is. It's just as much about preparing your mind to deal with pain in quantified amounts and resting a little to be fresh enough to let yourself hurt and not loose focus. For me usually when words like, awful, painful, agonizing remind me of a particular training session, that means it was good no matter what the wuss meter read. If someone could invent a power meter with a suffer factor on it, that I'd buy into. Then to coach would say "today's ride, 10/10, make yourself bleed blood and try to push the pedals so hard you feel muscle coming off your bones"...that would be fun.
Reason I talk about the pain so much is I'm mentally preparing myself for the next chunk, and making sure I'm ready to deal with it and know what I am getting myself into. If I wasn't prepared for this then it was not time to start. Think about Cross, one hour to put four hours of pain into...if you win this race it's gonna hurt alot.
Ok, nough about that. More of this to come in my coaching book, chapter one, enjoying the pain.
It's not for eveyone.
DSJ
Well this week was interesting....the body always has a funny way of welcoming new activities. I usually wake up and pretty much feel like someone has pounded on my legs with some sort of meat mallet to tenderize them for human consumption. So this week was no different after a couple of runs, mixed in with a few secret training sessions.
So I'm feeling pretty awful right now and it reminded me of something....pretty much the way I was feeling in Feburary and March...sweet.
I've been trying to come to terms with my season, am I happy with the way it went? Is it over or should I just rest up and put in a few digs in September and get a few more wins checked off.
It's always hard to say, kind of but not really. If I look back at the "objectives" I set at the start of the year, I've not really achieved all of them, but slightly overachieved others.
Sure I wanted to win alot of races, but no matter how many I would have win, it would really never be enough. But as I was reading a book "The Rider", by Tim Krabbe, I read an interesting passage. He was talking about one of the great riders in Tour de France history and saying that this guy used to win races in a grand way, not a wheel sucker or an opportunist, but a great bike rider who won it his way. Funny enough this gave me a feeling of satisfaction and joy. Seriously. Cause that's the way I like to win, big time, solo hands in the air, the only one in the photo. Not to say I don't want to win a sprint from a break off the front, cause if I would have got that part of the equation right I would have pretty much won 50% percent of my races, which is an absolutely ridiculous percentage in this defeatist sport. But when I was on form from late May, winning GP Charlevoix, totally on fire through Beauce, lighting it up on Preston and breaking away at the Tour of Quebec, it was great. Not only that but I think contributing to Aaron winning Nationals as well was a highlight of the year for me as well.
So, long story, but I think it's worth while to reflect a little in order to be mentally ready for the next chunk ahead and also not go chasing things for the wrong reasons. Once I start chasing money, points, number of wins or anything empirical, it just kind of looses it's meaning a little.
I don't race my bike for that. I do this because I like pain and suffering or actually I like how good life feels when the suffering is over and life doesn't hurt anymore. Anytime I've won a race it's because I have been more prepared to accept pain and let go of fear...that's it.
Sometimes I think that's all training really is. It's just as much about preparing your mind to deal with pain in quantified amounts and resting a little to be fresh enough to let yourself hurt and not loose focus. For me usually when words like, awful, painful, agonizing remind me of a particular training session, that means it was good no matter what the wuss meter read. If someone could invent a power meter with a suffer factor on it, that I'd buy into. Then to coach would say "today's ride, 10/10, make yourself bleed blood and try to push the pedals so hard you feel muscle coming off your bones"...that would be fun.
Reason I talk about the pain so much is I'm mentally preparing myself for the next chunk, and making sure I'm ready to deal with it and know what I am getting myself into. If I wasn't prepared for this then it was not time to start. Think about Cross, one hour to put four hours of pain into...if you win this race it's gonna hurt alot.
Ok, nough about that. More of this to come in my coaching book, chapter one, enjoying the pain.
It's not for eveyone.
DSJ
Friday, August 7, 2009
Switch it up
So we decided to switch it up for a while. With no racing for the next couple weeks, we thought it would be a good time to work some kinks out before September.
So Tash and I woke up and threw on the NB's for a hefty 16 minute run. Funny that I wasn't really breathing hard, but it was slightly painful as I hadn't eat or had any coffee, just a very bizzare feeling in my legs...kind of like cycling without a bike. Reason behind this is slightly masochistic, but anyways, it definetly put the fun in not fun...or I guess put the not in not fun, yah that sounds more like it. I've been trying to deplete myself of all carbohydrates just to see how it feels to run on empty and train my body to use fat as energy...also not fun.
Poor Tasha has to deal with one grumpy boy...sorry, not enough calories, but hey you just have to make yourself hurt every now and then old school cycling style. It's not really the most scientific method, or condusive to performance, but cycling is a weird thing and the body needs to be shocked every now and then to really perform later.
So lookig very forward to chicken Shawarma soon.
DSJ
So Tash and I woke up and threw on the NB's for a hefty 16 minute run. Funny that I wasn't really breathing hard, but it was slightly painful as I hadn't eat or had any coffee, just a very bizzare feeling in my legs...kind of like cycling without a bike. Reason behind this is slightly masochistic, but anyways, it definetly put the fun in not fun...or I guess put the not in not fun, yah that sounds more like it. I've been trying to deplete myself of all carbohydrates just to see how it feels to run on empty and train my body to use fat as energy...also not fun.
Poor Tasha has to deal with one grumpy boy...sorry, not enough calories, but hey you just have to make yourself hurt every now and then old school cycling style. It's not really the most scientific method, or condusive to performance, but cycling is a weird thing and the body needs to be shocked every now and then to really perform later.
So lookig very forward to chicken Shawarma soon.
DSJ
Monday, August 3, 2009
MTL-QC Classic
For sure it was a classic. Long day, 250 km, 5hr 31 min as well with the distance and the torrential rain. I was off the front in some sort of break for most of the race. Put in a big effort with a Kier and Vives with about 35 km to go...but it got reshuffeled and we were a group of 6. I wanted to attack on the last climb but I couldn't get any traction cause there was so much water running down the road.
I kind of did another move with a few km to go, but I didn't have the strength to ride away.
It was still a good race, I raced my race. I don't really have any excuses. THe guys who beat me did a good job, for sure, so good on them.
Was I disapointed...for sure. Did I want to cry...almost. Did I? no way.
But it was a bit of a bummer.
I guess I wouldn't really change a thing though, cause I race the way I race cause I am who I am.
THat's what drives me, that's what made me get on bike today, after a race like and start working towards the next objective...it's just the way it is.
I had a big crash a few years ago in this race and I'm glad to walk away from this one this year.
I can't say I didn't have a really big lump in my throat everytime I see the sign for Trois Riviers.
Hope teamate Chris is ok, as he hit the deck pretty hard. ALso my LG buddy Hugo apparently broke his collar bone. SO best wishes to my wounded amigos.
Also thanks to all the RWR staff and Kevin Fields ,Paul Smaulders, Sean Wakefield ,Nathan's GF and the lovely Natasha for feeding, driving and logistisizing, this race requires lots of support and these guys and gals did a great job.
There should be more races like this around here, it's the real deal.
DSJ
I kind of did another move with a few km to go, but I didn't have the strength to ride away.
It was still a good race, I raced my race. I don't really have any excuses. THe guys who beat me did a good job, for sure, so good on them.
Was I disapointed...for sure. Did I want to cry...almost. Did I? no way.
But it was a bit of a bummer.
I guess I wouldn't really change a thing though, cause I race the way I race cause I am who I am.
THat's what drives me, that's what made me get on bike today, after a race like and start working towards the next objective...it's just the way it is.
I had a big crash a few years ago in this race and I'm glad to walk away from this one this year.
I can't say I didn't have a really big lump in my throat everytime I see the sign for Trois Riviers.
Hope teamate Chris is ok, as he hit the deck pretty hard. ALso my LG buddy Hugo apparently broke his collar bone. SO best wishes to my wounded amigos.
Also thanks to all the RWR staff and Kevin Fields ,Paul Smaulders, Sean Wakefield ,Nathan's GF and the lovely Natasha for feeding, driving and logistisizing, this race requires lots of support and these guys and gals did a great job.
There should be more races like this around here, it's the real deal.
DSJ
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)